In this episode of "Change the Atmosphere," we explore the transformative power of prayer. The message emphasizes that prayer is not just a passive act but an offensive weapon in spiritual warfare, capable of changing the atmosphere around us.

Acts 4:31, "When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness."

This scripture underscores the power of collective prayer to bring about divine change and empowerment.

The atmosphere doesn’t change just because we want it to. It changes based on the Word of God.

Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

In the chaos at Creation, God said, "Let there be..."

It’s the Word of God that brings about change.

It’s the scripture, the God-breathed scriptures, the very Word of God is what brings transformation.

God is not done. God is not distant.

James 1:2-6 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

On this First Sunday of 2026, guest speaker Philemon Phalwas, shares a message of hope to frame the highs and lows as part of God's perfect work in your life.

God rarely gives the full picture—He gives enough vision to take the next faithful step.

If we’re honest, most of us want clarity before commitment. We want details before obedience. We want the ending before we take the first step.

But Scripture shows us again and again that God rarely works that way.

Genesis 12:1 NKJV

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you.

The second advent awaits the physical return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3 NKJV

This promised event also means the rapture of the Church and final judgement:

“And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus has provided everything we need to be ready for His return. Missing it means our hearts were looking for something else.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come (Revelation 22:20).

Broken relationships rarely heal on their own. Time may dull the sting, but it doesn’t repair the damage. Offense left unaddressed becomes like a slow-growing root, spreading into our thoughts, our attitudes, and eventually into every relationship connected to us. Scripture warns that bitterness can trouble us and contaminate the people around us—not because we want it to, but because unattended wounds always widen.

The story of Jacob and Esau shows this clearly. Years passed after Jacob’s deception, but the distance between them never closed. Jacob ran, Esau hurt, and nothing improved until God called Jacob to turn around and face the offense he helped create. Reconciliation began only when Jacob took a step—limping, fearful, but willing. The truth remains: offenses don’t fix themselves; healing starts when someone decides to move.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's good to recall what the Lord has done. It's good to remember and appreciate.

Exodus 12:14“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.

24“Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. 25When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. 26Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ 27And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

If we forget or fail to pause enough to remember, we lose sight of the grace that brought us here.

If we barrel through life without honoring the past, we risk thinking we arrived by our own strength instead of by His mercy.

There’s a lot about fall to love. Smores. Pumpkin patches, pumpkin carving, pumpkin spice. Colorful trees.

But there are some things about fall not to like: Candy corn, horror commercials, haunted houses. The sun is setting earlier and earlier, darkness is more prevalent both in nature and in culture. A scary season.

The truth is we all have scary seasons. Not speaking of Halloween, but of times of uncertainty – but I am persuaded that we can survive every scary season.

Psalm 56: 3-4

But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?